Middle School SEL Curriculum

In the middle school, social and emotional learning takes place in group guidance classes that meet weekly. While similar themes and lessons will cycle through different grades, the middle school curriculum is grade specific and tailored in content to the particular developmental levels of the students in each grade. Due to the ever-changing landscape of social and emotional challenges facing students (e.g., social media, technology, news stories, fads, etc.), Windward's curriculum is flexible to respond to new events as necessary.

Topics in parentheses below refer to CASEL core competencies.

Subjects for Guidance Curriculum Lessons

Grade 5

Empathy (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Social Media and Cyber Bullying (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management)
Kindness and Compassion (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Diversity and Celebrating Differences (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)

Teasing vs. Bullying (Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Friendship (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)

Grade 6

Trustworthiness (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)

Friendship (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Empathy (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Rumors and Gossip (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills)
Conflict vs. Bullying (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills)
Social Media and Safe Interpersonal Communications (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)

Respect (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making)
Diversity and Celebrating Differences (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Conflict Resolution (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)

Grade 7

Social Challenges: Difficult Decision-Making (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)
Conflict Resolution (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)
Appropriate and Respectful Behavior at Parties (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)
Managing Feelings and Emotions (Self-Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management)
Social Media and Safe Interpersonal Communications (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)

Social Media and Cyberbullying (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management)
Being an “Upstander” (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making)
Diversity: Gender Stereotyping (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness)
Friendship (Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Empathy (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)

Grade 8

Micro Aggressions (Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Sexual Orientation (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Responsible Use of Technology (Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)

Diversity: Celebrating Differences (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Flirting vs. Sexual Harassment (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills)
Kindness (Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)
Empathy (Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills)

Grade 9

SEL discussions take place with these older students on an ad hoc basis regarding many topics including but not limited to the following (respect, empathy, diversity, maturity, bullying vs. teasing, proper use of technology
Grade 9 students also enrich their social and emotional learning by taking part in a community service program that includes reading to Lower School students, delivering materials to Lifting up Westchester following the annual Giving Tree collection, and making meals for the needy.

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